Copy and paste this worksheet as a separate page linked to the Homepage of your portfolio. DO NOT type your answers on THIS document because it needs to be used by other students. The title of your page which replies to these questions is linked to your portfolio and should begin with the first initials of your first and last name. (In my case, the link to this worksheet from my portfolio page would read frtrifles.)
You may earn a maximum of 3 points toward your final grade by doing the above and answering the questions and submitting them on time (no later than 12:01 Sunday, Jan. 21). Any worksheets submitted after the deadline will get a 0. You will be rewarded a maximum of 3 points, if I judge your work to be above average. You will receive 2 points if your work is average, that is it may have a few minor mistakes in some of the answers but demonstrates correct grammar and indicates that some, but not all, of the answers, are acceptable and well expressed. You will earn only 1 point if you simply answered the questions and/or if you use poor grammar and if there are signs that you have not read the material on which your answers are based.
1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Trifles. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
The play takes place during the early 20th century due to the play being written in 1915.
STASIS: We appear to be in Mrs. Wright's Kitchen around mid-day i believe, where the attorney, Mr. Hale, and Mrs. Peters interact with one another about the past days events and the state of the home.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play?
The Intrusion came in two parts. The first is the empty bird cage that is discovered which raises some suspicion from the women investigating the scene. The second action of Intrusion occurs when The bird is discovered by the woman (Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters) outside, Strangled.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
4. State the dramatic question or questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
I assumed it was what the Wife's were going to do with the evidence discovered, as it implicates certain credibility on who the killer was. The evidence founds correlates to the intrusion itself. There's also the matter of the citizens actually making a conclusion and FINDING the killer themselves.
5. Use Ms. Hale to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is the dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what the character wants (NOTE: In Trifles the wants of Ms. Hale change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles for Ms. Hale.
At First Mrs. Hale defends Mrs. Wright whenever the Attorney tries to dis Mrs. Wright for being a terrible housekeeper. Hale is infuriated that he has the gall to dis Mrs. Wright about her cleanliness even though she was immediately placed in jail after the incident took place, leaving her no time to clean it. Mrs. Hale's goal here is to defend her old friend and women from this man's offensive stance. In this instance Mrs. Hale is Fighting Society. Another example is how later on Mrs. Hale finds the dead bird of Mrs. Wright. Knowing that it will incriminate her friend, she hides it. There are two obstacles that drive Mrs. Hale. The first obstacle is that Mrs. Hale understands what's happened to Mrs. Wright. This is a woman who used to be a lively lady that enjoyed the company of others and was outstanding with her choir skills. Now she's become a gloomy wife to an abusive husband, who continuously harmed and oppressed her in a multitude of ways. /she hides this bird knowing that it's become justified what Mrs. Bright has done, but what men wouldn't see. Understand that the men don't necessarily point out the troubled relationship that the wife's soon discover. This is another example of a character against society and self.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. In your estimation what is the most theatrical moment in Trifles and what happens during that moment which is so important to the outcome of the play?
The most Theatrical moment is easily when the two wife's take a pact to bury the birds evidence that would condemn Mrs. Bright as the Sheriff and Attorney approach. This theatrical moment is incredibly climatic and shows the bonds between understanding women in a time of oppression by men that don't care or wish for women to have the ability to have a voice for themselves.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Trifles. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
The cherry glass, quilt, and the dead bird all tie into the play, bringing symbolism that helps relate each objects "trifling" nature to the audience.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Trifles.
Themes are, but not limited to, Gender roles, women dealing with inequalities, the theme of deception and secrecy. Another important theme would be the theme of Mystery, as the entire play is built around that pretense of theme.
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with Trifles? Is family redefined in Trifles?
Family is spoken in a rather famous way. "The blood of the Covenant is thicker..." In this regard the women look after each-other in this play as a family unit themselves, protecting one another in a society that would easily condemn women for almost any act that was out of line. These are women that are literally defying law and social standards to protect one another, and amazing aspect to think about.
JIR Trifles Worksheet
Worksheet for Trifles
Copy and paste this worksheet as a separate page linked to the Homepage of your portfolio. DO NOT type your answers on THIS document because it needs to be used by other students. The title of your page which replies to these questions is linked to your portfolio and should begin with the first initials of your first and last name. (In my case, the link to this worksheet from my portfolio page would read frtrifles.)
You may earn a maximum of 3 points toward your final grade by doing the above and answering the questions and submitting them on time (no later than 12:01 Sunday, Jan. 21). Any worksheets submitted after the deadline will get a 0.
You will be rewarded a maximum of 3 points, if I judge your work to be above average. You will receive 2 points if your work is average, that is it may have a few minor mistakes in some of the answers but demonstrates correct grammar and indicates that some, but not all, of the answers, are acceptable and well expressed. You will earn only 1 point if you simply answered the questions and/or if you use poor grammar and if there are signs that you have not read the material on which your answers are based.
1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Trifles. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
The play takes place during the early 20th century due to the play being written in 1915.
STASIS: We appear to be in Mrs. Wright's Kitchen around mid-day i believe, where the attorney, Mr. Hale, and Mrs. Peters interact with one another about the past days events and the state of the home.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play?
The Intrusion came in two parts. The first is the empty bird cage that is discovered which raises some suspicion from the women investigating the scene. The second action of Intrusion occurs when The bird is discovered by the woman (Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters) outside, Strangled.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
4. State the dramatic question or questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
I assumed it was what the Wife's were going to do with the evidence discovered, as it implicates certain credibility on who the killer was. The evidence founds correlates to the intrusion itself. There's also the matter of the citizens actually making a conclusion and FINDING the killer themselves.
5. Use Ms. Hale to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is the dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what the character wants (NOTE: In Trifles the wants of Ms. Hale change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles for Ms. Hale.
At First Mrs. Hale defends Mrs. Wright whenever the Attorney tries to dis Mrs. Wright for being a terrible housekeeper. Hale is infuriated that he has the gall to dis Mrs. Wright about her cleanliness even though she was immediately placed in jail after the incident took place, leaving her no time to clean it. Mrs. Hale's goal here is to defend her old friend and women from this man's offensive stance. In this instance Mrs. Hale is Fighting Society. Another example is how later on Mrs. Hale finds the dead bird of Mrs. Wright. Knowing that it will incriminate her friend, she hides it. There are two obstacles that drive Mrs. Hale. The first obstacle is that Mrs. Hale understands what's happened to Mrs. Wright. This is a woman who used to be a lively lady that enjoyed the company of others and was outstanding with her choir skills. Now she's become a gloomy wife to an abusive husband, who continuously harmed and oppressed her in a multitude of ways. /she hides this bird knowing that it's become justified what Mrs. Bright has done, but what men wouldn't see. Understand that the men don't necessarily point out the troubled relationship that the wife's soon discover. This is another example of a character against society and self.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. In your estimation what is the most theatrical moment in Trifles and what happens during that moment which is so important to the outcome of the play?
The most Theatrical moment is easily when the two wife's take a pact to bury the birds evidence that would condemn Mrs. Bright as the Sheriff and Attorney approach. This theatrical moment is incredibly climatic and shows the bonds between understanding women in a time of oppression by men that don't care or wish for women to have the ability to have a voice for themselves.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Trifles. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
The cherry glass, quilt, and the dead bird all tie into the play, bringing symbolism that helps relate each objects "trifling" nature to the audience.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Trifles.
Themes are, but not limited to, Gender roles, women dealing with inequalities, the theme of deception and secrecy. Another important theme would be the theme of Mystery, as the entire play is built around that pretense of theme.
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with Trifles? Is family redefined in Trifles?
Family is spoken in a rather famous way. "The blood of the Covenant is thicker..." In this regard the women look after each-other in this play as a family unit themselves, protecting one another in a society that would easily condemn women for almost any act that was out of line. These are women that are literally defying law and social standards to protect one another, and amazing aspect to think about.